Maurício Souza (volleyball)

Maurício Souza (born September 29, 1988) is a Brazilian volleyball player who primarily plays as a middle blocker. He is best known for his time playing for the Brazilian national volleyball team and various professional club teams in Brazil and internationally.

Souza was a member of the Brazilian national team that won the gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He also competed in other major international tournaments, including the FIVB World League, the FIVB World Championship, and the South American Championship.

At the club level, Souza has played for several prominent teams, including Sada Cruzeiro, where he achieved significant success. His career has been marked by strong blocking and attacking skills.

In late 2021, Souza faced controversy and public backlash after making homophobic comments on social media regarding a cartoon depiction of a Superman character kissing another male character. The comments led to widespread condemnation, including from his own club, Minas Tênis Clube, which ultimately dismissed him from the team. The controversy highlighted issues of homophobia in Brazilian sport and society.